Workforce Prize

jordangiali

This prize would challenge teams to create a technological solution that helps people learn a new skill or occupation quickly, efficiently, and affordably. The winning team’s solution would successfully upskill a set number of vulnerable workers in a specified occupation (i.e. - nursing) with measurable impacts on their incomes. The solution would need to be scalable across different geographies in the U.S.

NickOttens

@tmiller, thank you so much for joining the XPRIZE Community! I'd like to ask your thoughts on this idea for a prize competition, which is one of six ideas we're exploring.

Specifically, do you think a prize, as described by @jordangiali, would be audacious enough to help low-skilled and low-wage workers? While at the same being achievable?

NickOttens

@jessica_brown, @GlobalFuturist, @vehien, @Harlan, we'd love your input on this idea for an XPRIZE as well. Please let us know if you believe this would make a significant (and positive!) impact, or if there are aspects of this you think should be discarded?

ramdhanyk

This is definitely a good prize as businesses are constantly looking for talent with new skills. I would recommend using the word 'pipeline', 'talent pipeline' as part of the name of the prize and / or description as business typically are interested in talent pipelines to meet their rapidly changing needs.

CindyUNC

I agree with "talent pipeline." We are looking at how we inventory student/workforce skills into the current needs of employers in our area. What are key skills? How can we grow them through our new curricular offerings and through co-curriculars? How do these skills help startups, which are central to job creation and at great risk due to the COVID-19 crisis?

NickOttens

Thank you for your comment, @CindyUNC! We are now developing this very prize idea further, also taking into account the likely economic ramifications of COVID-19, under Rapid-Response Workforce XPRIZE. I look forward to your comments there!

jordangiali

Thank you for your feedback @ramdhanyk and @CindyUNC! I agree that "talent pipeline" is an effective way to frame the solution development. We will make note of this and include it in our discussions.